| Manufacturer | Saturn Corporation (2003–2005) General Motors (2006–2007) |
|---|---|
| Production | 2003–2007 |
| Assembly | Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States |
| Predecessor | Saturn S-Series |
| Successor | Saturn Astra |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 4-door quad coupé |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | GM Delta platform |
| Engine | 2.2 L L61 I4 2.4 L LE5 I4 2.0 L LSJ supercharged I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed Getrag F23 manual 5-speed Getrag F35 manual 4-speed 4T45-E automatic 5-speed Aisin AF33 automatic VTi CVT |
| Wheelbase | 103.2 in (2,621 mm) (sedan) 103.2 in (2,621 mm) (coupe) 103.5 in (2,629 mm) (Red Line) |
| Length | 184.5 in (4,686 mm) (sedan) 185.0 in (4,699 mm) (coupe) 185.0 in (4,699 mm) (Red Line) |
| Width | 67.2 in (1,707 mm) (sedan) 67.9 in (1,725 mm) (coupe) 67.9 in (1,725 mm) (Red Line) |
| Height | 57.4 in (1,458 mm) (sedan) 56.0 in (1,422 mm) (coupe) 55.6 in (1,412 mm) (Red Line) |
| Related | Chevrolet Cobalt Chevrolet HHR Opel Astra Pontiac G5 |
The Saturn Ion was a compact car sold by the Saturn marque of American automaker General Motors between the 2003 and 2007 model years. It used the GM Delta platform. The Ion replaced the Saturn S-Series in 2003,[1] and was replaced by the new Saturn Astra in 2008. As of 2006, the Ion was the longest compact car sold in North America. Production of the Ion ended on March 27, 2007.
Contents |
The 2003 Ion came standard with a 2.2 L 140 hp (104 kW) DOHC Ecotec I4 engine. The Ion's instrument panel was mounted on the top center of the dashboard, rather than behind the steering wheel. The Ion is available in sedan and coupe forms; the coupe featured a set of bi-parting doors; the feature marketed as quad coupe.
A Getrag F23 5-speed manual or an Aisin AF23 5-speed automatic transmission were available. The compact 5-speed automatic had several unique characteristics. The transmission lacked an overdrive, allowing for five forward gears to be packaged in the size of a typical four-speed manual gearbox, both providing close gear ratios for better acceleration and fuel efficiency while eliminating the heat and parasitic loss generated by the additional planetary gearset. The unit was also “fill-for-life”, meaning that it was not intended to be serviced for the life of the vehicle. The 2003 and 2004 Ion Coupes were available with the VTi continuously variable transmission or a Getrag F23 5-speed manual.
Aisin's transmission was generally unpopular among Ion reviewers because of a so-called "shift flare" that was not a defect, but, nevertheless, a disorienting feature of the designed shift pattern that resulted in some drivers becoming alarmed when the transmission downshifted on a downward incline (as the driver released the gas pedal).
For 2004, Saturn also re-calibrated the electric power steering, as well as upgrading Interior Materials, and offering new sound systems.
In 2005, the Aisin 5-speed automatic transmission was discontinued due to a problematic trait known as shift-flare, which also occurred in other manufacturers' cars using Aisin transmissions, such as Toyota.[2] The VTi CVT used in the quad-coupes between 2003 and 2004 was also discontinued, for reliability reasons. GM's 4-speed 4T45-E replaced both transmissions, becoming the only available automatic transmission option. The 2005 models also received a new steering wheel, the same one used in the 2004 Red Line model. In the middle of the 2005 model year, the seats in the base Ion1 model received upgraded fabrics and a height adjustment feature. "Quiet Steel" multilaminate sound-reduction technology was also introduced in 2005. Cosmetic changes included an upgraded fascia with a larger grille opening and redesigned wheel covers and redesigned alloy wheel offerings. Under the hood, an acoustic engine cover was added to the engine bay to reduce noise emissions.
The 2006 model year saw only minor cosmetic changes. The Level 2 and Level 3 models were offered with GM's new standard radio, featuring MP3 playback. Many purported owners of the 2006 Ion models expressed dissatisfaction with the reliability of the ignition switch and a lack of sufficient service availability/warranty support.
2006 also saw the 170 hp (127 kW), 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) torque, 2.4 L I4 engine with variable valve timing become available for the Ion3. Along with that, the Ion 1 was also discontinued for 2006.[3]
The 2.2-liter Ecotec engine in the 2007 Saturn Ion was improved over the previous year's model: power output increased from 140 hp (104 kW) to 145 hp (108 kW) at 5600 rpm, and torque output increased from 145 ft·lbf (197 Nm) to 150 ft·lbf (203 Nm) at 4200 rpm. The new engine was fitted with the ECU from the 2.4-liter engine.
The 2.4-liter Ecotec received a similar upgrade: power increased from 170 hp (127 kW) to 175 hp (130 kW) at 6500 rpm, and torque increased from 162 ft·lbf (219 Nm) to 164 ft·lbf (222 Nm) at 4800 rpm.
An "Appearance Package" was offered for the 2007 Ion 3 Quad Coupe, including redesigned front and rear bumpers, side moldings, elliptical fog lamps, and a chrome exhaust tip. The Recaro seats in the Red Line version were replaced with black leather-appointed seats, which featured a passenger-sensing system.
The Ion was discontinued in March 2007, and replaced in Saturn's lineup by the European-built Saturn Astra hatchback, a rebadged Opel Astra.[4]
In production from 2004 through the 2007 Model Year, Saturn produced the Red Line Sport Compact/Factory Tuner variant of the Ion. Developed in coordination with the GM Performance Division and track tested at Germany's famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Ion Red Line featured a 2.0L LSJ Ecotec 205 hp (153 kW) engine with an Eaton M62 Roots type supercharger and an air-to-liquid intercooler. Also included was a stronger F35 5-speed manual transmission, pulled from GM Europe.[5][6] This engine/powertrain combination is also shared with the Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged Edition, which did not start production until the 2005 model year. The Ion Red Line features most interior features from the standard Ion Coupe, including its rear suicide doors, to allow accessibility to the rear seat.[7]
The Ion Red Line is an overlooked GM performance car, as the Saturn brand was not marketed as selling high-performance vehicles. The Red Line claims a 0-60 mph time of 6.0 seconds, and a 1/4 mile time of 14.6 seconds. GM Performance re-tuned the Spring and bushing rates, and reduced the ride height by about 10 mm, and added larger 4-wheel disc brakes. The car was also equipped with 17-inch forged alloy wheels and Dunlop Sport SP9000 215/45 tires, thicker performance sway bars, re-valved shock absorbers, and Recaro racing seats. The larger disc brakes made the Red Line capable of decelerating from 70 mph in 164 ft., what John Phillips of Car and Driver Magazine described as "Porsche territory". Also included was a 2.25 inch exhaust system with a Chrome-tip pipe that allowed for a more aggressive exhaust note from the tailpipe and GM's OnStar System. The Ion Red Line was introduced with a base price of $20,950.[8][9]
Introduced for the 2005 model year was the optional Competition Package. Included in the Competition Package were 17" Gunmetal Painted Alloy Rims, Ladder Tachometer w/ shift lights, a Limited Slip Differential, and Optional Projector-beam Fog Lamps.[10] In mid-2006, GM released two Engine Kit upgrades for both the Ion Red Line and the Cobalt SS. The Stage 1 Kit retailed for around $500 USD, and included higher-flow fuel injectors and a recalibration to the ECU to increase the Horsepower by 31 hp to 236 hp and 205 lb.-ft. of torque, up from the stock 205 hp and 200 lb.-ft. The Stage 2 Kit retailed for around $750 and opens up the middle of the power curve to more power than the Stage 1 Kit alone. In addition to everything that the Stage 1 Kit comes with, the Stage 2 Kit includes a smaller drive belt and pulley for the supercharger, bringing the engine up to 241 hp and 218 lb.-ft. of torque. GM did release a Stage 1 to Stage 2 Upgrade kit that retailed for $400. This Upgrade Kit is for a Red Line with the Stage 1 kit already installed. This Upgrade Kit adds the Stage 2 elements and increases the horsepower from 236 hp to 241 hp.[11]
On October 17, 2003 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, the Saturn Ion Red Line, piloted by the GM Performance Division's "Saturn Land Speed Record Project" set a new land-speed record in the "G/Blown Fuel Altered" Class at 212.684 mph. This exceeded the previous record holder of 183.086 mph that was set in 2001.[12]
Below are the Production Numbers for the Ion Red Line from 2004 to 2007.[13]
| Color | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | 831 | 353 | 274 | 131 | 1589 |
| Red | None | 286 | 260 | 116 | 662 |
| Blue | 783 | 478 | 189 | 134 | 1584 |
| Black | 1012 | 395 | 406 | 173 | 1986 |
| Total | 2626 | 1512 | 1135 | 554 | 5827 |
| Comp. Pkg. | 0 | 118 | 641 | 337 | 1096 |
In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) frontal offset collision the 2005 Ion received an overall Acceptable score. In the IIHS side impact test all models received a Poor overall score.[14]
However, during the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) crash tests, the Ion received overall better scores. Below is a chart detailing the star ratings for each particular model year and section.[15][16]
| Year | Vehicle Type | Frontal Driver | Frontal Passenger | Side Driver | Side Rear Passenger | Rollover 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 4DR Sedan | 5 Star | 5 Star | Not Tested | 3 Star | 4 Star |
| 2004 | 4DR Sedan | 5 Star | 5 Star | Not Tested | 3 Star | 4 Star |
| 2DR Coupe | 5 Star | 5 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star | |
| 2005 | 4DR Sedan | 5 Star | 5 Star | 3 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star |
| 2DR Coupe | 5 Star | 5 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star | |
| 2006 | 4DR Sedan | 5 Star | 5 Star | 3 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star |
| 2DR Coupe | 5 Star | 5 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star | |
| 2007 | 4DR Sedan | 5 Star | 5 Star | 3 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star |
| 2DR Coupe | 5 Star | 5 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star | 4 Star |
| Type | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | |
| Sport Compact | Ion Red Line | |||||||||||||||||||
| Compact | S-Series | S-Series | Ion | Astra | ||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | L-Series | Aura | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | Vue | Vue | ||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Minivan | Relay | |||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | Sky | |||||||||||||||||||
| Engine | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2nd qtr 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | ||
| 2.0 L LSJ |
||||||||||
| Saturn ION Red Line | ||||||||||
| Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe | ||||||||||
| 2.4 L LE5 |
||||||||||
| Cobalt SS | Cobalt Sport | |||||||||
| Pontiac Pursuit GT (Canada only) |
Pontiac G5 GT | |||||||||
| Saturn ION3 | ||||||||||
| 2.0 L LNF |
||||||||||
| Cobalt SS Turbo Coupe | ||||||||||
| Cobalt SS Turbo Sedan | ||||||||||
| Chevrolet HHR SS | ||||||||||